Labour reveal election hopeful

The Labour Party has revealed who it hopes will be the next MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham following May’s General Election.

Dr Jason Pandya-Wood, a senior academic based at Nottingham Trent University, has been selected as Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for the ward.

The 36-year-old was born in Gloucester where he first became involved in politics as a teenager campaigning for better youth facilities.

This is the first election campaign as a candidate.

He said: “I want to represent Sleaford and North Hykeham because I passionately believe we need to put forward a more positive vision for the future.”

Dr Pandya-Wood has worked as a social scientist in higher education for more than 12 years. Prior to, and alongside this academic career, he has worked as a youth worker, community activist and has supported adults with mental health problems.

He added: “I will campaign hard in Sleaford and North Hykeham to return a Labour government that will restore dignity in social care, protect and invest in our NHS, provide a jobs guarantee for every young person and address our cost of living crisis.”

Between now and the election, Dr Pandya-Wood vowed to ‘be out every week meeting as many people as possible to hear their concerns – and to take action where it is needed’.